700-240 Cisco Environmental Sustainability Overview(CESO) Questions and Answers

Cisco uses criteria such as facility size and lab area when determining sites for ISO 14001 certification. This approach ensures that their Environmental Management Systems (EMS) are implemented in locations with significant potential environmental impacts, allowing for effective management and continual improvement of their environmental performance. Cisco’s commitment to ISO 14001certification is part of their broader environmental strategy to comply with international standards and improve sustainability practices across their operations

https://advisera.com/14001academy/blog/2016/10/31/iso-140012015-how-to-set-criteria-for-environmental-aspects-evaluation/

Cisco's Purpose Report has been described by several names, including CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility), Social Impact, and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance). These reports cover Cisco's initiatives and progress in sustainability, social responsibility, and governance, providing transparency and accountability in their efforts to create a positive impact on society and the environmenthttps://blogs.cisco.com/csr/powering-an-inclusive-future-a-message-from-ceo-chuck-robbins

Fluorinated gases and methane are two significant greenhouse gases (GHGs). Methane is a potent GHG that contributes to global warming and is a focus of many environmental sustainability efforts, including Cisco’s GHG emission reduction initiatives. Fluorinated gases, although present in smaller quantities, have a high global warming potential and are also targeted in sustainability strategies. Cisco’s commitment to reducing GHG emissions is a key part of their environmental goals, as outlined in their Net Zero Emissions strategy.

According to Cisco's Environmental Sustainability documents, the average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions produced per person each year is around 7 tons. This figure encompasses all CO2 emissions resulting from individual activities and consumption patterns, including transportation, energy use, and other factors contributing to one's carbon footprint. Cisco's commitment to reducing carbon emissions involves both their corporate practices and encouraging individual responsibility to lower CO2 emissions globally.

Cisco’s enterprise-wide program that includes Circular Design, Circular Solutions, and Ecosystem Leadership is known as the Circular Economy program. This initiative aims to promote sustainable practices by designing products for longevity, reducing waste through reuse and recycling, and collaborating with partners to create a sustainable ecosystem. The program is a core part of Cisco's environmental sustainability strategy, as outlined in their Environmental Sustainability Specialization (ESS) Program and related documents​ (Cisco Blogs)​.https://blogs.cisco.com/tag/environmental-sustainability-specialization

Circular Consumption involves reducing consumption and using renewable sources across Cisco's value chain. This principle aims to minimize resource use and environmental impact while promoting sustainability. By focusing on renewable resources and efficient consumption, Cisco contributes to a more sustainable circular economy, aligning with global sustainability goals and reducing its overall environmental footprint.

Cisco plans to reduce the use of virgin plastic to 20 percent by 2025. This target is part of Cisco’s comprehensive strategy to minimize plastic waste and promote the use of recycled materials. Achieving this goal involves redesigning products and packaging to incorporate more recycled content, thereby reducing the reliance on virgin plastics and mitigating environmental impact​https://blogs.cisco.com/csr/how-ciscos-circular-design-principles-are-helping-to-minimize-environmental-impact

66% of customers are willing to pay more for products that are manufactured sustainably. This reflects a growing consumer awareness and demand for environmentally responsible products. Companies like Cisco leverage this trend by emphasizing their sustainability practices and incorporating them into their product development and marketing strategies. This data is supported by various consumer surveys and market research studies on sustainability preferences​ (Cisco Blogs)​​ (Impakter)​.https://blogs.cisco.com/csr/net-zero-methodology-yes-it-is-complicated-but-worth-doing-thoroughly

Globally, only 14% of plastic packaging is recycled. This low recycling rate highlights the significant challenges in managing plastic waste and underscores the importance of adopting circular economy practices. Cisco is actively working to address these challenges through initiatives aimed at reducing packaging waste and increasing the use of recyclable materials. This information is consistent with global environmental reports and Cisco's own sustainability efforts aimed at improving resource efficiency and reducing waste.